Different characteristics of amniotic and cervical collagenous tissue during pregnancy and delivery: a morphologic study.
The occurrence of dissociation in cervical collagenous tissue during pregnancy and delivery is widely recognized. We performed a morphologic study of the collagenous tissue of the amnion at various stages of pregnancy and during delivery. After 15 weeks of pregnancy, including the period after delivery, the collagenous fibers of the amnion were closely distributed with no ground substances, forming a thick collagenous layer. Cervical collagenous tissue at the corresponding stages showed a marked dissociation among abundant ground substances. The dissociation-resistant properties of the collagenous tissue of the amnion seem to protect the amniotic sac from premature rupture, up until the time when it is torn by hyperdistention during delivery.
Yoshida
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan.
Manabe
Y
Y
D000650:Amnion / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*
D003094:Collagen